Tempered by Fire, bound by stardust {Est. 2014}

When to Walk Away

A lot of times we get stuck in these insane relationship loops that we REALLY need to get out of. It could take weeks, months, or even years to finally walk away, but when you do you’ll wonder why you stayed so long. Here’s 15 signs for when it’s 100% time to go.

1. Walk away if……they try to threaten or guilt-trip you into sticking around.

You should never feel like you’re being forced to stay with someone. You should WANT to be there.

2. Walk away if…you always have to be there for them, but they’re never there for you.

A relationship is a two-way street. You deserve to get as much as you give.

3. Walk away if…you see anger and jealously more than compassion and love.

Everyone has negative emotions sometimes, but when that is all that exists, it is no longer healthy.

4. Walk away if…they make you feel like you’re no longer yourself.

No person should ever make you feel like your personality, or the things that make you so uniquely you, are slipping away.

5. Walk away if…they can’t let go of mistakes you’ve made. You’re only human, and none of us are perfect.

Every person is allowed to make mistakes. If you have made up for them, and the other person still cannot forgive you, then you deserve so much better.

6. Walk away if…they make you feel bad for the way you think or feel.

You are allowed to think, feel and act however you want without feeling guilty about it; no one is allowed to take that away from you.

7. Walk away if…they find a way to blame you for everything that’s gone wrong, even if you had nothing to do with it.

Misplaced frustration never ends well; not everything is your fault, nor does someone else have the right to tell you it is.

Whether it’s family, friends or a significant other, there should be an immense amount of compassion, care and love. Love isn’t the only part, but if there is none at all, then it is no longer really a relationship.

15. Walk away if…your relationship is taking such a mental/emotional/physical toll on you that you can no longer focus on anything else.

No healthy relationship should ever consume you. It should not become an addiction, it should not become the only thing that is ever on your mind.

16. Walk away if…you have to shut the world out when you’re with them.

There’s nothing wrong with savoring each moment with your partner. There’s nothing more fascinating than the feeling of being with someone who gives all his attention and time to you. But it’s a different story when you can no longer respond to calls/SMS from other people just because he/she always suspects that you’re up to something that would jeopardize your relationship.

17. Walk away if…your confidence or self-image has plummeted while being with them.

Never for a moment should you doubt yourself because your partner acts unsatisfied and unappreciative. You have to be at peace with yourself knowing you are at your best.

18. Walk away if..they invade your privacy.

In a healthy relationship, there is no need to hide anything. Texts, emails, facebook messages, whatever. But that doesn’t mean your partner has the right to snoop through them if you happen to leave your phone around or your computer open. Someone who does this is showing a massive insecurity on their part and is likely projecting their own infidelities and issues onto you. This should not be ignored.

19. Walk away if…they always want to maintain control.

The more power they have over your emotions, the less likely you’ll trust your own reality and the truth about the abuse you’re enduring. Knowing the manipulative tactics and how they work to erode your sense of self can arm you with the knowledge of what you’re facing and at the very least, develop a plan to regain control over your own life and away from toxic people.

20. Walk away if…they use your struggles against you.

Shaming is an effective method that targets any behavior or belief that might challenge a toxic person’s power. It can also be used to destroy and whittle away at a victim’s self-esteem: if a victim dares to be proud of something, shaming the victim for that specific trait, quality or accomplishment can serve to diminish their sense of self and stifle any pride they may have.